We can do no great things, only small things with great love.

Mother Teresa

Thursday, October 4, 2007

Week 9 Thing 23 Wahoooooooo!

What were your favorite discoveries or exercises on this learning journey?
I learned sooo much! Rollyos, bloglines and wikis are useful both personally and in the library setting. For me personally, I learned how much I enjoy "play"! I'm usually so focused on getting things done, that I rarely take time to just play. And I found so much enjoyment looking at You Tube and creating my avatar!

How has this program assisted or affected your lifelong learning goals?
I realized how much I do enjoy learning new things and will continue to want to be a lifelong learner.

Were there any take-aways or unexpected outcomes from this program that surprised you?
I felt a little intimidated by all of the new technology when I began 23 Things. I was surprised by how much I not only learned but really enjoyed myself along the way!

What could we do differently to improve upon this program’s format or concept?And last but not least…
I thought for the most part it was easy to follow and navigate through. I talked to a few people who had scheduled time to work on 23 Things together as a group and had lots of fun with it. I think encouraging others, especially those people who were novices in learning new technology to do so would be helpful!

If we offered another discovery program like this in the future, would you again chose to participate?
Absolutely

How would you describe your learning experience in a few words or a few sentences, so we can share our successes and promote this program?
Sometimes intimidating or a little frustrating, but I grew in my self confidence and felt so good when I mastered it! All in all, it was definitely a very rewarding experience and I would recommend it highly to other people!

Week 9 Thing 22 Audiobooks

I set up my account and took a look at some of the books that are available. I have to admit that there is a part of me that still loves to curl up on the sofa with a good book. However, I also realize that sometimes I am so busy getting things done, that by the time I lay down to read, I fall asleep after just a few pages. It is probably much more realistic for me to download an audiobook and listen to it while I'm cooking dinner, or mowing the lawn! I am on the second book of Tim LaHayes Left Behind series, and I do see that these books are on audiobook. That would be great to be able to download them and listen to them while I'm still getting things done. I am such a multi-tasker! I also have to say that I have been reading Tumblebooks with my granddaughter, Taylor and she just loves them. (And so do I!!!)

Week 9 Thing 21 Podcasts!!!

I took a look at the Merlin podcasting learning link to see some of the ways podcasts are being used in libraries. Libraries are using podcasts for stories for kids, booktalks, author visits, library news, spanish storytimes...the possibilities are endless!

Week 9 Thing 20 You Tube Attention All Dog Lovers!

I had so much fun on You Tube, maybe too much fun! I could spend a lot of time on this site! I spent some time looking at videos of lab puppies. Watching puppies always puts a smile on my face! It's hard to believe that Laxie, my 97 pound black lab was ever this tiny! I hope all of you dog lovers enjoy!!!
Black lab girl puppy

Wednesday, October 3, 2007

Week 8 Thing 19 Instant Bull

I played around with Instant Bull, a site that allows users to compare and track the stock market, access message boards, and browse stock market blogs. This is another resource that we can use with patrons who are interested in the stock market. It may be especially useful in sharing with patrons who are using Mt. Airy's Business Resource Center. You can access this site at www.instantbull.com.

Week 8 Thing 18 Zoho Writer

Zoho Writer was pretty cool! It has so many capabilities...way more than microsoft! I decided to publish to my blog one of my favorite songs, My Wish by Rascal Flatts! I hope you enjoy it!

Artist: Rascal Flatts
Song: My Wish
Album: Me & My Gang Buy Rascal Flatts Sheet Music
Buy Rascal Flatts CDs

I hope that the days come easy and the moments pass slow,
And each road leads you where you want to go,
And if you're faced with a choice, and you have to choose,
I hope you choose the one that means the most to you.
And if one door opens to another door closed,
I hope you keep on walkin' till you find the window,
If it's cold outside, show the world the warmth of your smile,

But more than anything, more than anything,
My wish, for you, is that this life becomes all that you want it to,
Your dreams stay big, and your worries stay small,
You never need to carry more than you can hold,
And while you're out there getting where you're getting to,
I hope you know somebody loves you, and wants the same things too,
Yeah, this, is my wish.

I hope you never look back, but ya never forget,
All the ones who love you, in the place you left,
I hope you always forgive, and you never regret,
And you help somebody every chance you get,
Oh, you find God's grace, in every mistake,
And you always give more than you take.

But more than anything, yeah, and more than anything,
My wish, for you, is that this life becomes all that you want it to,
Your dreams stay big, and your worries stay small, You
never need to carry more than you can hold,
And while you're out there getting where you're getting to,
I hope you know somebody loves you, and wants the same things too,

But more than anything, yeah, and more than anything,
My wish, for you, is that this life becomes all that you want it to,
Your dreams stay big, and your worries stay small,
You never need to carry more than you can hold,
And while you're out there getting where you're getting to,
I hope you know somebody loves you, and wants the same things too,

This is my wish
i hope you know somebody who loves you
may all you dreams stay big

Tuesday, October 2, 2007

Week 7 Thing 17 Sandbox Wiki

I took a look at the Maryland Sandbox Wiki and posted my blog to the Favorite Dogs blog page! That was fun!!!

Week 7 Thing 16 Wiki's

Prior to this time, my only personal experience with a wiki was as part of the Leadership Academy. It was a new concept to me, and although I loved reading everyone else's posts, I felt like I didn't have the time to really get comfortable with using it and posting my entries as often as I would have liked. I like the concept of the wiki and feel it has many uses within the library system. In Library 2.0 in 15 Minutes a Day, I liked being able to find so many technological sites in one location. I found the Bull Run Public Library Wiki to be an interesting concept. In looking through the wiki, I found Library Elf which provides patrons with email or RSS alerts before the items are due. It also provides patrons with cellphone text message alerts for holds. Pretty cool stuff!

Monday, October 1, 2007

Week 6 Thing 14 Web 2.0, Library 2.0 and the future of libraries

Many patrons have told me that the reason they go to a particular library branch or system is because of friendly staff and excellent customer service! In the article Away from the Icebergs, I agree that the library should be moving toward a more participatory, barrier free climate. Like Mr. Anderson, I believe we want to have librarians who strive to find new innovative ways to bring our services to patrons in areas of work, study and play. Mr. Anderson, however believes that since libraries are not equipped to have the staffing or resources to teach, libraries should use sites such as Flickr's "Blog This" which has one button commands for ease of use. I disagree. If that were the case, patrons would use this one button technology at home. Why would they need to come to the library? I think some patrons will always look to librarians as their tour guides, to be accessible and help them find their way among this technology.

Week 6 Thing 14 Technorati

In looking around this site, I found that I'm leading a very sheltered life! I never knew what I was missing! The top video that I checked out was Paris Hilton on David Letterman! And the latest post was about a man who wants shared custody of another man's leg! I'm not sure that I will personally use this site as often as some of the other ones, but it was definitely interesting.

Week 6 Thing 13 Tagging on Del.icio.us

This was an interesting site! I can tell I'm gaining a little self confidence. I feel more comfortable navigating around the sites. I found a tag cloud with popular tags where the word size reflects the popularity of the tag. A few of the tags I looked at were quotes, books and recipes. I set up an account for myself and after looking at some of the recipes, decided to add them to My Favorites. I've been trying to start using my crock pot more often so dinner is waiting for me at the end of the day and I found "50 Awesome Crockpot Recipes to Keep You Warm". I find that in the past I have printed lots of recipes out. I have tons of printed papers which somehow I never look through again, or they get lost. This time they are right at my fingertips, in my account under My Favorites! Pretty cool!